The Temper Trap Marks a Compelling Return with “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Performance
The journey of The Temper Trap has been a storied one. The Australian indie-rock stalwarts first achieved international acclaim in the late 2000s, propelled by the shimmering, anthemic “Sweet Disposition.” Bolstered by its prominent placement in the film (500) Days of Summer and defined by Dougy Mandagi’s transcendent falsetto, the track became an era-defining hit.
In their home country, the group solidified their legacy with multiple ARIA Awards and back-to-back chart-topping albums, including their 2012 self-titled sophomore effort and 2016’s Thick as Thieves. Throughout a decade of evolution—marked by lineup shifts and high-profile appearances like the AFL Grand Final—the band maintained a reputation for atmospheric, stadium-ready soundscapes.
On Tuesday evening, Jan. 20, the Melbourne-bred quartet made a resounding return to the American stage with a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. For many fans, the appearance served as a vital “proof-of-life” for a band that had been largely absent from the global circuit for several years.
Taking the stage to perform their recent single, “Giving Up Air,” the band proved that Mandagi’s vocal prowess has lost none of its ethereal magic. Against a visual backdrop of a vehicle tearing through a winding road—a possible metaphor for their long road back to the spotlight—the performance was both haunting and polished.
“Giving Up Air” carries a sonic weight that belies its title. The track finds Mandagi exploring the visceral nature of loss, with lyrics that probe the depths of sorrow: “Givin’ up air, layin’ it bare / Hoping my dreams will reappear / When everything I know is hanging on a prayer.”
The single was produced by the Grammy-nominated Styalz Fuego, known for his work with artists like Troye Sivan and Khalid. Released in 2025, the track followed “Lucky Dimes,” which ended the band’s nearly decade-long hiatus from the studio.
“This is a deeply personal song for me, centered on a life-altering moment and the profound agony of losing someone in tragic circumstances,” Mandagi explained in a statement. “It tracks the progression from initial shock to grief and anger, while searching for those rare glimmers of hope. It was originally intended for my solo project, Bloodmoon, but when the band began working on it together, it felt like it had finally found its true home.”
Following a successful string of headline dates across Australia late last year, The Temper Trap has been reconnecting with North American audiences through select performances in Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto.
